Records fall as Revolution seal chance to defend Atlantic League title

Four players set franchise marks as York swept a doubleheader with Bridgeport.

York Revolution team manager Andy Etchebarren addresses the team before cracking open dozens of bottles of Champagne and cans of Bud Light in the team locker room after the Revolution clinched a spot in the playoffs and shut out the Brideport Bluefish in a doubleheader on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, at Sovereign Bank Stadium. DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - CHRIS DUNN (Chris Dunn)

York pitcher Michael Nix throws against Bridgeport during Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader. York's 8-2 victory in the first game, plus Lancaster's loss to Camden, cemented the Revs as the Freedom Division second-half champions. The Revs will meet the Barnstormers in the playoffs for the first time as they look to become the second team to repeat as league champs. (Daily Record/Sunday News -- Chris Dunn)

York, PA -
Call it an encore.

This season didn't have the same magical feel as last year, when the York Revolution put together an improbable Atlantic League championship run.

In many aspects, this year's season and this year's team did something more impressive: They never let up. Unlike last year's roller-coaster season, the Revs never experienced a late-season meltdown. They just kept winning.

Thursday night was no different.

The Revs defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish, 8-2, in the first game, and they complete the doubleheader sweep with a come-from-behind 5-4 victory in the finale.

The Revs clinched the second-half Atlantic League Freedom Division title with a win in the first game of a doubleheader and a loss by the second-place Lancaster Barnstormers to Camden. The Revs players and coaches learned they won the division title in the second inning of their second game, when the Camden Riversharks finished off an 8-1 win against Lancaster.

The Revs knew how to write an ending to this year's quest for a playoff spot.

The last big hit Thursday came in the second game of a doubleheader. As the night moved closer to midnight in the 50-degree weather, Revs first baseman Chris Nowak crushed his Revs-record 25th homer of the season. Just a dozen or so fans remained from the announced crowd of 2,291.

Even Cannonball Charlie and the Revolution cannon had left for the night, so the record homer didn't even receive the traditional 'Boom!' for a Revs' homer.

Nowak's blast erased Bridgeport's 4-0 lead.

Members of the Revolution celebrate after winning Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against Bridgeport, 8-2. That win, coupled with Lancaster's loss to Lancaster, sealed a trip to the postseason for York. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Chris Dunn)

And the night's history-making theme continued with reliever Ronnie Morales setting the Atlantic League record for appearances, pitching in his 69th game. Revs reliever Sean Stidfole appeared in 68 games last season.

The Revs chalked up one of the franchise's more memorable victories in the first game of the doubleheader. York resident Corey Thurman (13-3) became the Revs single-season wins leader, surpassing Wayne Franklin's 12 wins in 2008.

York center fielder Scott Grimes became the first player in Revs' franchise history to hit for the cycle, hitting a single, double, triple and homer in the seven-inning game. Grimes homered in his final at-bat of the night, sending a sixth-inning line drive over the Arch Nemesis.

Grimes rarely shows emotion on the field, but as he rounded first base he raised a finger to the sky.

"That's the first cycle of my career," said Grimes, who accomplished it on his 28th birthday.

"We couldn't have asked for a better night."

The York Revolution had their share of setbacks.

Major league organizations signed a Revs' record eight players who wore York uniforms. Another two players left the Revs for international leagues. And then the rival Lancaster Barnstormers clinched a first-half division title at Sovereign Bank Stadium in July. They won the title by a one-game margin.

"It has been exciting to come in and be able to help the team," said Nowak. "They welcomed me in Day 1, and that really took the pressure off me."

York opens the playoffs in the best-of-five Freedom Division Championship Series against the Barnstormers with a 6:30 p.m. start on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

The series will shift to Lancaster for Game 3, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 23. The winner of the division series will advance to the league's best-of-five championship series, starting Wednesday, Sept. 28.

York is attempting to become just the second team to repeat as league champions. The 2008-09 Somerset Patriots are the only repeat winners in league history.

jseip@ydr.com; 771-2025

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York Revolution outfielder Chris Walker, left, and pitcher Corey Thurman celebrate after the Revolution defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish, 8-2, in the first game of a doubleheader against Bridgeport on Thursday. (Daily Record/Sunday News -- Chris Dunn)